Combined gang-plank and loading-chute.



No. 733,959- PATENTED JULY 21, 1903.

q C. B. HALLAM.

COMBINED GANG PLANK AND LOADING GHUTE.

APPLICATION II LED'OOT. 20. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

Mmmxs: I/VVEIVTO/F, v

C. 1312a am.

set at precisely the same point every time CARL BOWEN HALLAM,

tamed July 21, 1902;

PATENT OFFICE;

OFPOMONA, KANSAS;

COMBlNED GANG-PLANK AND LOADlNG-CHUTE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N6. 733,959, dated July 21, 1903:

Application filed October 20, 1902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL BOWEN HALLAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at P0- mona, in the county of Franklin and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Combined Gang-Plank and Loading- Ohute, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for facilitating the loading of live stock into railwaycars.

The object of my invention is to provide a slidable gang-plank adapted to be placed in difierent positions to connect with a car-door. The advantage of a movable and adjustable gang-plank is that the cars do not have to be they are loaded. If a car happens to be set a few feet one way or the other from the middle of the chute, the gang-plank is slid along until it registers with the car-door, ready for use.

I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a movable chute and gang-plank embodying my invention, showing a car and a portion of a stock-pen. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same, a portion of the car being broken away.

1 is a stock-yard pen or inclosure, 2 is a portion of the surrounding fence, and 3 is a loading-platform erected just outside of the fence. An inclined walk 4 leads from the interior of the pen up to the platform 3.

At the top of the incline 4 are two gateposts, to each of which is hinged agate 6. These gates form a chute for the passage of the animals to or from a car. 7 is the gangplank, to which are secured two arms 8, having eyes at their ends, and through these eyes extends a horizontal rod 9, parallel to the railroadtrack. The ends of said rod are bolted to the platform 3. The eyes on arms 8 are large enough to slide freely along the rod 9. When not in use, the gang-plank is raised to an upright position. When a car is set to be loaded or unloaded, the gang-plank is slid Serial No. 128.0201 (No model.)

until it is just opposite the car-door, and when the latter is opened the gang-plank is lowered through the doorway, as shown.

Hung on each gate 6 is a slidable extension 10. The preferred means of attaching these extensions to the gates is by hangers 12. These hangers maybe of any preferred style or construction. Most door-hangers will answer the purpose. Secured to the bottoms of. the extensions 10 are guides 13, which loosely embrace the lower edges of the gates 6, and thereby prevent the extensions from being swung away from the gates during movement of the latter. The object of providing the slidable extensions 10 is to render the gates 6 practically adjustable in length, (considering each extension as a portion of its gate.) Thus the extensions may be run out until they touch the car, regardless of the angle at which the gates are turned. Of course it would not be necessary to the safety of the stock to have the extensions in contact with the car; but they can be placed in that position if so desired. I

In each extension 10 is a horizontal row of perforations 14, and in each gate 6 is a perforation 15,adapted to, receive a fastening-pin 16. Any one of the perforations 14 may be caused to register with the perforation in the gate by sliding the extension 10, so that each of the extensions may be fastened in several difierent positions by manipulating the pins 16. This will prevent accidental sliding of the extensions while the gates are in use.

said respective hinged gates, a horizontal In testimony whereof I affix my signature guide-rod secured transversely of said gates, in the'presenee of two Witnesses. and a gang-plank provided with arms connected slidably to said rod,whereby the gang- CARL BOWEN HALLAM' 5 plank may be adjusted to difierent; positions Witnesses:

of said extensible gates, substantially as de- M. L. LANGE, scribed. W. E. COPPLE. 

